Fair held to recruit Black engineering students

Chicago Defender Newsroom

11 years ago

MARTHA NKANGABWA, of the CMU chapter of NSBE, introduces the morning’s keynote speaker.

Chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University Pittsburgh recently hosted the Walk for Education STEM Education Fair.
The goal of the joint venture was to increase awareness of the opportunities available to pre-collegiate students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
The fair included hands-on experiments, an engineering competition, and workshops for students and parents. The fair, held at the Pitt attended William Pitt Union, was attended by students from local middle and high schools, as well as afterschool programs.

BRYAN LEWIS, the keynote speaker, is an executive associate at CMU.

Walk for Education STEM Fair is a program that serves to increase the awareness of the opportunities available to pre-collegiate students through education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
The mission of the National Society of Black Engineers is, “To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” As part of our NSBE mission to “positively impact the community,” Symone Lessington, programs chair for the National Society of Black Engineers at CMU said in a release.

BAD WEATHER DIDN’T STOP THESE YOUNG PEOPLE—Due to weather on the morning of the NSBE event, the fair was canceled, however, some kids still came as well as the volunteers from both chapters of NSBE and the keynote speaker Bryan Lewis, an executive associate at CMU. Pictured above, Lewis is sitting on the stage as he speaks to the intimate crowd. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

The A Walk for Education fair was held this year in collaboration with other collegiate chapters in Region II of NSBE.

MAKING A CAR—John Johnson Jr., left, and John Bailey of the CMU NSBE, right, help Dominicke Washington, 12 years old and from Homewood, make a car out of cardboard, rubber bands, a mouse trap, strick, tape, sticks and four wheels.

“We want to educate them on the different possibilities there are in the STEM field and eliminate the stigma that its a, unachievable and monotonous path,” she said.

MAKING SOMETHING FROM NOTHING—Martha Nkangabwa, of the CMU chapter of NSBE, helps 6th grader Sharod, from East Liberty, make a car out of cardboard, rubber bands, a mouse trap, strick, tape, sticks and four wheels. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

Lessington added, “Students have the ability to excel but sometimes are missing the drive and we want to provide that motivation and direction for their futures.”